Waking up in Chicago is always so different then waking up in my small town, the views of the city are perfect from my bedroom window. My dad got me up somewhat early so we could get the college tour over and done with, like I have previously mentioned Chicago is my number one choice. I have applied to other universities but Chicago is my firm favourite- can't put all your eggs in one basket.
My dad's loft is only about twenty minutes from campus so he will be close by for the next few years which makes a nice change from the hours' drive. When we pull up into the campus we are met with several stone buildings, as we walk through campus the buildings start to become more modern. The university was definitely meeting my expectations and the libraries were what sold me in the end. Our tour was only a quick one as I had seen most of it online and only wanted to see the dorms, some buildings and meet some of the professors.
Me and my dad then went for our traditional first day lunch at a little spot near his loft- we have been coming here since my first break when I was ten. The two of us knew what we wanted so ordered when we sat down, me and my dad then spoke about the university.
"What I want to know is why are you coming into the big city when there's a university not far from where you are."
"Aurora doesn't have a creative writing programme and even if it did, I want to spread my wings and get out of that little town."
"Okay, what about your friends are they staying local or spreading their wings."
"They both have their heart set on somewhere in California, they haven't whittled it down yet but California is where they are heading."
"So, all three of you are spreading your wings."
"Yeah, I am going to miss them but they plan on coming back for all the major breaks- so it is not like I won't see them ever again after high school." My dad just nods in agreement and continues his meal.
"Okay so I spoke to your mom." here we go, my mom has this belief that I'll listen to my dad more so likes to tell him all about what I have been up to. "She is a bit worried about that English teacher of yours."
"he's dropped me off after school a few times there is seriously nothing she needs to be worried about."
"it's also the fact that you've been disappearing lately, apparently you didn't go home at all a couple weekends ago." I just wanted to bury myself in the sand right now, I mean my dad already has his suspicions so what my mom is saying is not going to help the situation.
"I told her I spent the weekend with friends because I didn't want to be alone."
"You didn't spend the weekend with the 'young and sketchy new English teacher' then?" he asks reading from the screen.
"No, I didn't, I haven't seen him out of school but mom doesn't trust that."
"I don't believe you but I won't tell your mom that as I don't want to make your life hell."
"Well thank you, now does my mother have any other concerns."
"Yes, but I won't talk about them in public so we will save that for later."
"Fine." I say eating my fries and picking up my phone. I send Fin a text and warn him that my dad is on to us- he told me he was with his mom today so I won't expect a response until much later. Once me and my dad finish our meals, he pays the bill and we head back to his.
First thing I do is get changed so I am at least somewhat comfortable for the conversation my dad is about to hit me with. "Okay then hit me what else is my mother worried about?" my dad jut awkwardly shuffles around before my finally spitting out the problem. "she's worried you are having sex or are in some sort of relationship." Oh Christ, this is not something you want to talk about with your dad.
"And why does she think this?"
"She found a couple things in your laundry and some birth control." Now if this were anyone else, I would tell them that I've been having sex since I turned 16 but as this was my dad, I couldn't really say that.
"Okay this is not what I was expecting to talk about tonight," I awkwardly laugh before continuing, "the birth control is mine but it's only a recent thing." I explain.
"I can accept that and I think your mom will to but be more careful, your mom isn't as relaxed as I am."
"I am glad that is over now I am going back to my room for a bit." I say walking towards my room.
In my room I catch the girls up on today's activities and the riveting conversation with my dad- they found it funny of course. The two of them also decided that if I need time with Fin when my mom is around that they will cover me better than they did on homecoming. They are both flying out to California tomorrow so they can look around universities and finalise which ones they are going to- university is starting to feel so surreal and it reminds me that I need to talk to Fin about college and where I will be because I have faith we will last that long. But for now, it's just sitting and waiting for confirmation letters so I have actual facts to tell him. Speaking of Fin today hasn't actually been that bad without him in fact I'm not even bothered that he hasn't answered my text from earlier- maybe a bit distance will be good for us.
"Bella!" my dad yells breaking me out of my thoughts, whatever he needs must be important or he wouldn't yell like that. Walking into the living room I am surprised to see it decorated with balloons and presents, "happy eighteenth kiddo." He enthusiastically yells as I sit on the couch. Wow, he went a bit extra with balloons but you know what I absolutely love it. Next to my dad is a stack of presents.
"Dad, you know I don't like getting presents."
"Well, this year you do, so here you go." He spits out handing me my first gift, most of the gifts are joke gifts but when we get to the last ones, I notice a shift. I opened a laptop and then a bag full of gift cards.
"Dad this is too much."
"For you kiddo there is no such thing as too much." He admits hugging me. I can't believe he would spoil me like this when every year I tell him not to. My dad helps me set up the laptop then he puts on a film for us both to enjoy. About halfway through I hear my phone ping, I grab it from the side table and notice the text is from Fin- 'deny everything, I want to have you to myself before we have to share this relationship without anyone else.' I mean I already have denied everything and I am just hoping that my dad drops the subject for the rest of the week.
Putting my phone down I go back to paying attention to the film- once it is over me and my dad overindulge ourselves in cake which leaves us both laughing on the couch. It's me who manages to get up first, which was a struggle after all I had eaten. "Thank you for the best late birthday." I say to my dad.
"I'm glad you had a good time kiddo."
"Honestly, the best." I say again giving him a hug.
"Must have been really good if you hugged me." He laughed as we let go.
"Oh, hush you or I'll never hug you again." I respond walking out of the room.
"Goodnight kiddo." He shouts.
"Night dad." I shout back from the doorway of my room.
That late birthday was nice of my dad to do but it has exhausted me. Tomorrow, he said we are just having a day inside with movies and more junk food which is my perfect day. When I get into to bed make sure to text Fin goodnight before passing out.
